Senate Democrats seek protections for young influencers

SPRINGFIELD – A decade ago, young superstardom was rare, left for the television stars and professional singers. However, with the rise of social media influencing, all you need to reach fame now is a cell phone. 

While traditional child actors are protected by the Child Labor Law, there’s nothing on the books for young influencers. Under a measure led by State Senators Dave Koehler and Linda Holmes, that would change.  

“Too often these days, you hear of children being exploited by parents or guardians due to the success they make online,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “A digital footprint a young person did not agree to create should not follow them for the rest of their lives.”

Under Senate Bill 1782, minors under the age of 16 featured in vlogs or other online content would be covered under the Child Labor Law. The measure calls for the child – also known as a “kidfluencer”— to be accurately compensated and would allow them to request deletion of the content upon turning 18.

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Koehler commends over $700k in state funding awarded to Peoria and Tazewell Counties for energy transition

PEORIA – The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced that Peoria County, Peoria Park District and Tazewell County are set to receive a total of $770,552 in state funding designed to support communities impacted by plant or mine retirements established under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act.

“Back in 2021 when CEJA passed, I said that we must be proactive in helping communities that are adversely effected by the transition to a limited emissions energy economy,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “I believe that these communities not only deserve these dollars, but continued funding for years to come.”

The $40 million program was designed to meet the needs of individual localities by addressing the economic and social impacts of plant closures. The funding can be used on a variety of initiatives and investments, including workforce initiatives, housing support, business attraction efforts and more. Recipients were selected by responding to a Notice of Funding Opportunity with a letter of support from the municipality or county where the plant or mine was located.

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Koehler announces $855,000 investment for Pleasure Driveway Park District of Peoria

PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler announced Friday that $855,000 for renovations and improvements were secured for the Pleasure Driveway Park District of Peoria.

“Investments in our parks help improve the well-being of our community,” said Koehler (D – Peoria). “Improving our local green spaces allows children and families to enjoy the outdoors, and provides more recreational opportunities for residents.”

Nearly $60 million in grants were awarded to 118 park districts across the state through the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grants, administered through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. This is the largest amount of funding since the program began 36 years ago.

The Pleasure Driveway Park District of Peoria will receive $855,000 from these grants. The funding allows the park district to renovate spaces, expand sidewalks, develop new facilities and more.

Visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website for more information on the OSLAD grants.

Koehler outlines measure to bring awareness of Underground Railroad history

PEORIA – Alongside a number of local officials at a press conference Monday, State Senator Dave Koehler outlined his measure that will bring awareness of the history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois through the creation of a task force.

“This bill continues Illinois’ path as a beacon of hope for women and people of color,” said Koehler (D – Peoria) “The more we understand the significance the Underground Railroad had throughout the state, the more opportunities our children are able to learn of its importance, and the consequences slavery had throughout our nation.”

Senate Bill 1623 would establish the Underground Railroad Task Force. The group would develop a statewide plan to connect existing local projects and new projects to create a cohesive statewide history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois, while developing new educational and tourism opportunities.

The press conference was in the same cemetery where Moses Pettingill is buried in in Peoria. Pettingill was a significant figure in the Illinois Underground Railroad, helping countless slaves cross the Illinois River in search of freedom. He is credited as founder of Peoria’s Underground Railroad.

Tazewell County Clerk John Ackerman – who spearheaded the measure – was among those who spoke.

“Currently, there are many regional landmarks of the Underground Railroad throughout the state, but there is really no way of connecting them together," said Ackerman. “This task force give us the ability to tie all of these regional pockets together to tell the story of just how long the path the Underground Rail Road was in Illinois, and the lengths that abolitionists and slaves took in search of freedom.”

This bipartisan effort will focus on identifying where historical sites are located, connections they may have to one another, and will illustrate the history of the Underground Railroad in Illinois.

Senate Bill 1623 passed the Senate State Government Committee last week. It now awaits a hearing before the full Senate.